Cooling system for casks containing high level nuclear waste

A system for externally cooling a radiation-shielded container containing high-level, heat-emitting radioactive waste, such as spent nuclear fuel. The system includes the container defining an internal cavity configured to contain an unshielded vessel containing the spent nuclear fuel. An annular cooling water collector extends circumferentially around the entire circumference of the cylindrical sidewall of the container. The collector comprises several distribution outlets that direct cooling water into the container, thereby wetting the entire side wall of the container. The cooling water provides an external heat sink to absorb the heat emitted through the surface of the container's external wall generated by the spent nuclear fuel. In various embodiments, the cooling water collector may have a continuous annular structure, or be formed from two or more collector segments. The collector may be supported directly from the container by removably mounted supports. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, no legal value)